Self Directed

Unschooling profoundly impacts both children and parents. For many parents, the process of deschooling themselves is a journey of personal growth and healing. By allowing your children to thrive free from academic pressures, you also foster a unique space for parental reflection and development.

Together with Sandra Dodd, we delve into 'The Unforeseen Benefits of Unschooling: Healing Past Traumas.'

Sandra draws intriguing parallels between the care we offer to our children and the nurturing we extend to ourselves. We uncover how embracing the unschooling philosophy can lead to a harmonious existence that respects natural growth and learning rhythms.

Join us in this episode as we explore not just an educational alternative but a gateway to a more compassionate and authentic way of living.

🗓️ Recorded January 17th, 2024. 📍Playa Dorada, Lengüeta Arenosa, Baja California, Mexico

Episode links:

• Website: https://SandraDodd.com 
• Daily inspiration, online or by e-mail: Just Add Light and Stir

Links for articles and thoughts on the internet, unschooling, and videogames

• https://sandradodd.com/unexpected
• https://sandradodd.com/healing
• https://sandradodd.com/mindfulofwords
• https://sandradodd.com/mindfulness
• https://sandradodd.com/issues
• https://sandradodd.com/feedback/rippy

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
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Jesper Conrad and Martin Cooke have started The Better Dad Institute. This episode is the first of their podcast series, which is simply called 'Better Dad Podcast.'

The goal is to explore topics together, daring to be vulnerable and sharing. A Podcast version of what goes on in The Better Dad Circles.

Details about this episode:
As a father, I've often found myself locked in a silent battle over who's right, especially with my kids. My co-host Martin and I tackle a struggle head-on, sharing our personal experiences with parenting conflicts and our pursuit of growth beyond the need to 'win.' We peel back the layers on handling arguments as I confess the lessons learned from my psychologist wife's techniques in conflict de-escalation. Together, we navigate the rough waters of family dynamics, offering insights on how to turn heated moments into opportunities for deeper connection and understanding.

Parenthood thrusts you into an arena where every day is a learning experience; this episode is no exception.  We reflect on the courage it takes to be vulnerable with our children, revealing how this openness can repair and strengthen the parent-child bond. Sharing our traditions and engaging in interests alongside our kids pave the way for a more harmonious family life.

🗓️ Recorded February 5th, 2024. 📍Playa Dorada, Lengüeta Arenosa, Baja California, Mexico

Episode links

• https://www.betterdadinstitute.com/ 
• https://jesperconrad.com/

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
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 Where do you stand on gaming, YouTube, and the internet? It is a difficult subject. So many thoughts and strategies.

Together with Sandra Dodd, we explore the complexities of the digital age with an open mind. We hope this episode will help you redefine parental boundaries, encourage independent thinking, and cultivate a relationship with technology that allows your children to thrive.

🗓️ Recorded January 17th, 2024. 📍Playa Dorada, Lengüeta Arenosa, Baja California, Mexico

Episode links:

• Website: https://SandraDodd.com 
• Daily inspiration, online or by e-mail: Just Add Light and Stir

Links for articles and thoughts on the internet, unschooling, and videogames

• https://sandradodd.com/rules
• https://sandradodd.com/videogames
• https://sandradodd.com/onlinesafety

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
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We explore practical strategies for nurturing our children's natural curiosity and love of learning. Together with my three friends—Sarah Bealel, Carla Martinez, and Luna Maj Vestergaard, we get hands-on, shedding light on how unschooling unfolds in daily life.

We share insights into how children learn to read without formal lessons and discuss parents' vital role as facilitators rather than traditional teachers, providing an environment rich with opportunities for self-directed learning.

Listen in as we examine the evolving landscape of children's education, from the significance of play in early childhood to the transition towards more structured pursuits as they grow. We reflect on how our roles as parents adapt to support our kids' changing needs and learning styles.

Discover how embracing flexibility and trust in the unschooling process allows for diverse learning experiences, from gaming and travel to real-world projects that teach traditional subjects like world history and mathematics in unconventional yet profoundly effective ways.

We celebrate the personalized educational paths unschooled children take. Acknowledge the self-directed nature of their learning, which empowers them to make choices that align with their life goals and interests.

Whether your child is drawn to academic subjects or alternative pursuits, this episode reassures you that unschooling is about respecting each child's unique journey, encouraging their innate capacity for reflection, and supporting them as they navigate their way through the rich landscape of knowledge and skills they choose to explore.

🗓️ Recorded February 2nd, 2024. 📍Playa Dorada, Lengüeta Arenosa, Baja California, Mexico

▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬

Luna Maj Vestergaard: 

• https://altomunschooling.dk/
• https://www.instagram.com/lunamajvestergaard/
• https://www.facebook.com/lunamajvestergaard

Carla Martinez: 

• https://planetaworldschool.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/ligronesenruta/
• https://www.facebook.com/ligronesenruta

Sara Beale: 

• https://www.renegademum.com/
• htt

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PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily

"I remember the day I threw the school bell out the window – figuratively, of course. It marked my family's leap into unschooling." Jo Isaac shares her journey through the transformative world of self-directed learning, where children lead, and education is as dynamic as the rhythms of life itself.

Stepping away from the conventional classroom, we share how our roles evolved from enforcing lessons to fostering a nurturing environment ripe for curiosity and growth.

Unschooling isn't merely an educational choice; it's a voyage of mutual discovery and personal development. In this episode, we explore the power of unschooling to shape relationships, with anecdotes about learning history through interactive play, assembling computers, and even those heart-pounding first driving lessons.

It's about taking your child's hand and stepping into a world where learning is not confined to textbooks but explodes with vibrancy in every shared experience. We also touch on the emotional rollercoaster that comes with watching our kids mature into independence, an experience both sweet and poignant.

Every moment holds the potential for learning, growth, and a deeper connection with our children.

🗓️ Recorded January 16th, 2024. 📍Playa Dorada, Lengüeta Arenosa, Baja California, Mexico

Episode links

• https://sandradodd.com/joisaac/

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
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Robin Coburn shares her journey from doubting to advocating the unschooling movement. Together, we uncover the beauty of reshaping family dynamics and nurturing a bond with children that is rooted in patience, openness, and understanding. Through Robin's narrative, you'll witness how unschooling paves the way for a non-authoritarian approach to parenting that abandons fear and control in favor of proactive solutions and a deeply supportive community.

Tune in to hear how unschooling cultivates the pursuit of personal interests, enabling children to thrive by exploring their passions rather than following a rigid curriculum.

Episode links: 

• https://workinproduction.com/
• https://sandradodd.com/choicerobyn

🗓️ Recorded January 10th, 2024. 📍Playa Dorada, Lengüeta Arenosa, Baja California, Mexico

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
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Akilah S. Richards guides us through her transformative journey, highlighting the significance of unschooling seen from a Black perspective.

We navigate the challenges faced in the unschooling journey, especially within the context of Black families. Akilah underscores the importance of nurturing creativity, autonomy, and play in education and how these elements are critical in fostering a liberated and holistic learning environment.

In 2016, Akilah published the first episode of Fare of the Free Child, a podcast for anyone considering parenting and leadership from a liberation lens. The podcast focuses on Black people, Native|Indigenous people, and People of Color (BIPOC) families who practice unschooling and other forms of self-directed, decolonization-minded living and learning. Akilah also gave a TEDx talk on Raising Free People, sharing the now widely-celebrated philosophy, “We can’t keep using tools of oppression and expect to raise free people.”  In 2020, she released her book 'Raising Free People: Unschooling as Liberation and Healing Work.'

Join us as we delve into this enlightening discussion with Akilah S. Richards, exploring the impactful and healing world of unschooling from a Black perspective.

🗓️ Recorded January 9th, 2024. 📍Playa Dorada, Lengüeta Arenosa, Baja California, Mexico

Episode Links

• Support Akilahs work: https://www.patreon.com/akilah
• Personal leadership sanctuary: https://schoolishness.com/
• Coaching: https://schoolishness.com/coaching/
• Unschooling/Deschooling Coaching: https://schoolishness.com/savorade-coaching/
• Buy 'Raising Free People: Unschooling as Liberation and Healing Work.'

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
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We received an email asking if we were up for recording an episode with Eric Balance. We are living in a yes mode, so here is our talk with Eric. 

Eric has been through a transformative journey from a heavy addiction to dedicating his life to helping people live a more spiritual life. To embrace his own big life changes, he changed his name to 'Eric Balance,' reflecting his search for equilibrium. 

In this episode, we dive into the role of authenticity and conscious choice-making in achieving inner peace amidst life's challenges.

We discuss practical ways to integrate spirituality into daily routines, emphasizing the balance between spiritual practices and the demands of daily life.

As we conclude, we reflect on the simplicity of life and the importance of living in the present, thanking our listeners for being part of this enlightening experience. 

🗓️ Recorded January 9th, 2024. 📍Playa Dorada, Lengüeta Arenosa, Baja California, Mexico

Episode links 

• https://ericbalance.com/
• https://balancemedia.ventures/
• https://www.youtube.com/@ericbalanceofficial/videos

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
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We got an email with great questions from a listener. Instead of a long email answer, we invited Josie to interview us for an episode. Josie doesn't use her last name, so we lovingly call her Just Josie :)

Josie is navigating the tides of raising young children while embracing the principles of unschooling. Josie's tale of transition from the simplicity of van life to the rich complexities of family life in California unfolds, offering listeners a glimpse into the world of alternative education and parenting. We share our story on how we see the impact of unschooling on early child development, the value of being attuned to our kids' natural learning rhythms, and how this approach can redefine traditional schooling paradigms.

Parenting is far from a one-size-fits-all endeavor, and this episode delves into the nuances of creating a supportive learning environment that balances guidance with freedom. We tackle the weighty matter of parental insecurities head-on, disarming the societal pressures that come with developmental milestones. From mitigating sibling jealousy to the profound impact of teachable moments, we share strategies that fortify family bonds and empower children to navigate their own educational paths. This episode is a gentle reminder of the beauty and challenges inherent in fostering a child's independence from the earliest stages.

As we unravel the complexities of sibling dynamics and the role of government in education, our conversation takes a turn towards advocating for minimal state intervention. The essence of unschooling comes alive as we envision a future where learning is self-directed, and the spirit of inquiry remains untethered by compulsory schooling. We call on parents to reclaim their authority, trust their instincts, and courageously support their children's unique journeys. 

🗓️ Recorded December 17th, 2023. 📍Mexico City, Mexico

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
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Blake Boles is an unschooling advocate and author of the book 'Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids To School' he also runs transformative teen programs called Unschool Adventures.

In this episode, we also explore the transformative power of alternative education. We examine the conventional education system's limitations and champion personalized learning paths, inspired by notable educational theorists. As Blake, we have diverged from traditional career paths, and together we share our experiences and the growth that stems from independence and stepping outside one's comfort zone.

Our discussion ventures into parenting, challenging the current trend of being overprotective. We advocate for a balanced approach to parenting and education, emphasizing the importance of listening to and supporting our children's unique paths. 

This conversation promises to be an enlightening exploration of self-directed learning, the joys of adventure, and the art of nurturing young minds for a diverse and vibrant educational future.

🗓️ Recorded December 11th, 2023. 📍Mexico City, Mexico

 ▬ Connect with Blake Boles ▬

• Website: https://www.blakeboles.com/
• Website: https://www.unschooladventures.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blaketotheboles/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unschooladventures/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unschool.adventures
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blake.boles

Books by Blake Boles

• Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids to School?
• The Art of Self-Directed Learning
• Better Than College: How to Build a Successful Life Without a Four-Year Degree
• College Without High School: A Teenager’s Guide to Skipping High School and Going to College

Other books mentioned in this episode:

• Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think - By Hans Rosling
• The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children - By Alison Gopnik

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
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